The Valve 2|50 Head

50W all-tube 2-channel
Eq and a channel volume, gain on channel 2. Lack a boost and master volume ...
Reverb global power attenuator, resonance and presence (back injury)

UTILIZATION

Config ultra simple, though would love to have the resonance settings and presence in front ... It's a shame, because I think for once these régalges (I often leaves zero) very musical

The model tested in the store clearly had some problems: hs reverb, and problem with the power attenuator. The beast is it fragile? ...

Otherwise, very intuitive, so no worries. I would have liked to push the clean crunch with the attenuator, because trying to reach full power can damage the eardrums.

SOUNDS

Tested in store, I had a little difficulty settings sly presence and resonance, to me seemed to be quite effective. I try in 2 12 'of the brand, open-back in v30, which did not convince me. I'll try to ignore the room that I do not recommend a priori.

Clean Crystal clear, very dynamic. I found it lacked a little heat, but I could not narrow resonance, and the firm was not conducive to deep bass. However, with a better cabinet, I'm on it gets very easily. Crystal clear, so for the blues a little dirty, provide tube screamer or the power attenuator. The sound is extremely pure and true way. To a discrete sound possible.

Saturated. I found that it gets more interesting from 6 to gain. Gain donf 'feast for the soloists (in blues and rock and even some styles of jazz fusion). The grain is very pure, as clear, natural sound is very rich in harmonics. So we begin to attack with the volume. So here is a matter of taste. I tried it with the original cabinet and mine, either in 2x12 vintage 30, but in an open back, and the other pan closed. I think the preamp and power stage are designed for the combo, a broadcast with HP Open back. I did not test it with my JCM800 4x12 because I want a sound that suits me in all config '. And since I do not rendering to open back donf '... In any case the grain is quite unique, which is in itself interesting.

OVERALL OPINION

This amp is clearly intended to worlds such as jazz, blues and rock. The masterstroke is to not try to walk on the beds of Fender or Boogie for example. In any case, those who seek this kind of know where to find her. In my opinion, they thought very hard to Robben Ford creating this amp. Sounds rich and of great delicacy in the return, you can return it to the limit alongside the classic 50 of Engl, with its infinitely better. If you dream of the fart at the Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Scott Henderson, Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck and more rock, try this amp.

To get an idea http://www.the-valve.com/home.html
There are some demo videos with a very faithful rendering of the sound.

Personally, I go my way, I do not play "open back", and it will be worse on standard 2x12, even those with good hp.

Edit 2011 Finally, I come back. After a lot of amps in my past catches, including brands (Brunetti, Rivera, Marshall, Fender, Engl, Laboga) I always look for an alternative to my JCM 800 sound for a little over U.S. (but playing characteristics UK ), and especially the advantage of recent components (under breath in particular). I had some hopes for Blackstar, but there really is a "trick" (a kind of trough) in the midrange that really bothers me, to the brand. A lot of trouble with the sound that seems already transplanted, and that's hard to blow their way into the mix on stage, and finally artificial sounds (like the current marshall for that matter, very rough). Finally, outside of my favorite Marshall, I have not tried this head better than 2-50. What made me hesitate at the time (made of some high frequencies and severe, and it was a matter of taste) are likely to change, with good HP in the right speaker, and perhaps more choice led lamps preamp issue (in this case rather v2). So I try my luck and not fail to change my opinion based on my personal small corrections.